The contact owns a 1979 Chevrolet Caprice. The contact stated that the vehicle was equipped with an after-market suspension ball joint by Driveworks, Part Number: DWK208. The contact stated that while in reverse there was a banging sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the driver's side front end had lowered significantly. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the steering lever had detached from the upper control arm. The contact stated that the separation was due to the ball joint failure. The contact replaced the ball joints with the same part and part number however, the design was different. The dealer had not been contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle failure mileage was 258,000. The Driveworks suspension ball joint DWK208 failure was 33,000.
Chevrolet Caprice ball joint problems
30 of the 605 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Caprice describe ball joint or control arm failure, most of them for the 1995 model year.
- owner complaints
- 30
- worst model year
- 1995
- typical mileage
- 119,635
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
I have a 1995 chevrolet caprice. My rear lower control arm (passenger side) broke while driving. Thankfully, it happened at low speed and near my home. The control arm broke all the way through, right at the stabilizer bar attachment... Exactly as described in recall 96v020000. The part that broke is under recall, id 96v020000. I gave the chevrolet dealer this information and they "could not find" the recall. I also called and emailed chevrolet, essentially getting the same response --ignorance. My complaint is I had to pay for the repair myself, despite this being a repair of a recalled part. Here is the recall info, as found on the federal safety agency website: make / models : model/build years: chevrolet / caprice 1991-1996 manufacturer : general motors corp. The federal safety agency campaign id number : 96v020000 mfr's report date : jan 25, 1996 component: suspension:rear potential number of units affected : 154214 summary: the rear lower control arm can crack at the rear stabilizer bar attachment. Consequence: this condition can be aggravated by the severe duty cycle of these vehicles and eventually cause the lower control arm to fracture completely causing a loss of vehicle control without prior warning. Remedy: dealers will replace both rear lower control arms and rear stabilizer bar attachments. Notes: system: suspension; single axle; rear; control arm. Vehicle description: police (seo 9c1) vehicles and taxi cabs (seo 9c6). Note: owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020. Also contact the federal safety agency's auto safety hotline at 1‑800‑424‑9393.
While driving at any speed consumer heard a loud knocking noise and the vehicle started to jerk. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic determined that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.
Location: front lower control arm on driver's side. Problem: nut came off the bolt holding the suspension together causing a 2" rip in the frame. *ak complaint: vehicle can not be repaired through welding with out some liability and risk. Question: how can this issue be resolved?
Upon backing out of a parking space, the driver's side lower ball joint "snapped" at the nut, resulting in the ball joint separating from the lower control arm.
Vehicle experienced the same defect with its lower control arm as stated in recall 96 v 018 001; but this vehicle was not included due to VIN.
Recall #96 v 018 000/ gm lower control arm: when driving at low speeds and making either left or right turn, there would be a knocking or banging sound. The vehicle has been to the dealer on one occasion and they tighten the lower control arm ball joint attachment nut. Now the problem has recurred again. Manufacturer was notified and they informed the consumer that the vehicle was not covered under any recall at that time. Please feel free to provide any further information concerning this issue and fill out the remaining questionnaire.
Right front ball joints broke.
While driving 35 MPH consumer heard a grinding noise, dealer determined the driver side upper ball joint needed to be replaced. Tire was tilted.
Front end suspension lower control arm on driver's side is faulty. Bolt that holds frame is hanging off and the self locking nut came off.
Related recalls
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- The rear lower control arm can crack at the rear stabilizer bar attachment.
- Risk
- This condition can be aggravated by the severe duty cycle of these vehicles and eventually cause the lower control arm to fracture completely causing a loss of vehicle control without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace both rear lower control arms and rear stabilizer bar attachments.
Recall number 96V020000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- Defective lower control arm ball joint attachment nuts were not properly torqued and can loosen.
- Risk
- If the lower control arm ball joint loosens, fatigues and separates from the front suspension knuckle, it could cause loss of vehicle control.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm ball joint attachment nuts for proper torque. If the ball joint has loosened from the knuckle, both the ball joint and the knuckle will be replaced.
Recall number 96V019000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- Defective lower control arm ball joint attachment nuts were not properly torqued and can loosen.
- Risk
- The lower control arm ball joint can loosen, fatigue, and separate from the front suspension knuckle resulting in a loss of vehicle control.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm ball joint attachment nuts for proper torque. If the ball joint has loosened, both the ball joint and the knuckle will be replaced.
Recall number 96V018000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Caprice ball joint
Which Chevrolet Caprice years have ball joint or control arm failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1995 (10 complaints), 1996 (6 complaints) and 1992 (4 complaints).
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